Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-29

not prevent MIN from drinking in secret
II leaves the gateway open for the i'm
portation of liquors and the expectation
of money to other states. and countrie!
for their purchase. 1t stops the bung bu
leaves the faucet open. 1t is prohibition
that does not prohibit. 1t is legislation
against a home manufacture and IN favo1
OF the foreign distilleries and breWeries
1t closes up the public bar-rooms to the
advantage of sc cret dens of vice Every
demi monde will have her secret closet o.
liquors, not for sale, but to al
lure men-young and old. The
manufacture of beer and wine is
q growing industry in Texas; and
it is noticeable fact that since the es
tablishment of breWeries and the conse.
quent cheapening of beer in Texas drunk.
enness and crime have decreased remark
ably throughout the state. When Texas
bar-rooms sold nothing but ''rot gut
whisky drunkenness and murder were
rampant. Prohibition is discrimination
against the manufacturer and seller-dis-
elimination against calling is not Dem.
ocratic. 1t is also a step toward sumptu.
airy legislation, which is not only not
Democratic, but strike at personal Iib-
erty. If there be one thing more than
another that makes Democracy dear to
the people it is its guaranty of local self
government Corpus Christi Caller.
The Democrat who IS trying to dodge
on the prohibition question should re-
member that Democratic Legislature is
responsible for the proposed constitu-
tional amendment, and that Democratic
state convention gave it encouragement.
Should it pass it will be difficult to make
the German citizens of Texas believe that
Democracy is not responsible for it. The
Republicans see it in this light, hence are
encouraging prohibition, hoping it will
prove the battering-ram to break down
the big Democratic majority in Texas
CORPUS Christi Caller.
If prohibition carries the state no one
will be so stupid as to claim that the
Democratic party had nothing to do with
it. II it was fostered by Democracy it is
certainly Democratic. "The majority
rules" is Democracy, aud the result in
favor of either one or the other side will
be strictly according to the principles of
Democracy Be eville Bee.
The most amusing circumstance Of the
prohibition contest thus far is that of
Barney Gibbs teaching such men as
MaXey, Reagan ct al. correct principles
of Jeffersonian Democracy. Barney is
cheek or he is nothing Guard.
*
Il prohibition is adopted in Texas il
will only apply to the manufacture, sale
or exchange of the inhibited beverage
within the state. The proposed amend
ment says nothing concerning importa-
ton, and indeed, could not consistently
with the constitution of the United States
interfere with the right to purchase
abroad and bring into this state anything
of Intoxicating liquors. Admit, then, for
the sake of argument, that the liquor
traffic may be practically suppressed with
in this state, the evil will not have been
entirely overcome so long as the people
of this state are enabled to secure all the
liquor they want from other states or
from foreign countries. A transfer of the
trade to Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana
or Mexico will not prevent the cOnsump-
ton of intOXicants in greater or less de-
gree in Texas, and therefore will not al
together remove the evil results of their
can be effectively enforced while the priv.
ilege Of importation is authorized, is too
violent to address itself to a conservative
mind. SO long as individuals who wish to
engage in an Illicit traffic are per-
mitted to supply themselves outside of
the state and without interference or
question to convey their stock to any
point at which they may desire to operate,
there will be a continuation Of the traffic
in spite OF all the statutes that may be
enacted, or all the penalties that may be
imposed. This fact is demonstrated by
the experience which governments have
had with the opium trade. Even pro-
hibitiOnists must admit that the
amendment would operate far more
successfully if there were some
means to prevent the introduction
OF Intoxicating liquors in the state.
Then the work of prohibition must not
stop with the adoption of the pending
amendment to the Constitut' on. 1t may,
or not, accomplish a great deal in the
like direction of temperance, morality and
virtue. This is question that must be
considered; but the further step that
must be taken is to stop the importation.
This being a matter affecting Interstate
and foreign commerce cannot, as before
stated, be done by the authority OF the
state, but is essentially preroga-
tive of the federal government.
Having then prohibited the manufac-
ture, sale or exchange of Intoxicating
liquors within the state, the Prohibition
lists must next turn their attention to
Congress for measure to prohibit the
To secure favorable action
there, it Will be necessary to elect men to
both branches who favor such regula-
tons. Further than this, there should be
an administration pledged to enforce
whatever measure Congress might adopt;
for without judges who will infict ade-
Guate penalties for the illegal transporta-
ton, marshals earnestly disposed to aid
the district attorneys who will vigorously
aud customs officers who will
conscientiously endeavor to prevent
the action Of Congress would
be neutralized. This forces the issue
into the domain OF national politics, and
there the Texas Prohibitionists must seek
the cooperation of the Probibitionists
Of other states. Such is the logical and